Birds of Missouri Field Guide (Bird Identification Guides) - Tapa blanda

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Naturalist, wildlife photographer and writer Stan Tekiela is the author of more than 175 field guides, nature books, children’s books, wildlife audio CDs, puzzles and playing cards, presenting many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, trees, wildflowers and cacti in the United States. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural History from the University of Minnesota and as an active professional naturalist for more than 25 years, Stan studies and photographs wildlife throughout the United States and Canada. He has received various national and regional awards for his books and photographs. Also a well-known columnist and radio personality, his syndicated column appears in more than 25 newspapers and his wildlife programs are broadcast on a number of Midwest radio stations.

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Northern Cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis

Size: 8–9" (20–22.5 cm)

Female: Buff brown bird with tinges of red on crest and wings, a black mask and large red bill

Male: red with a large crest and bill, and black mask extending from the face to the throat

Juvenile: same as female, but with a blackish gray bill

Nest: cup; female builds; 2–3 broods per year

Eggs: 3–4; bluish white with brown markings

Incubation: 12–13 days; female and male incubate

Fledging: 9–10 days; female and male feed the young

Migration: non-migrator

Food: seeds, insects, fruit; comes to seed feeders

Compare: Similar size as the male Summer Tanager (pg. 243), but the Tanager is rosy red. Male Scarlet Tanager (pg. 241) has black wings and tail. Look for Northern Cardinal’s black mask, large crest and red bill.

Stan’s Notes: A familiar backyard bird. Seen in a variety of habitats, including parks. Usually likes thick vegetation. One of the few species in which both females and males sing. Can be heard all year. Listen for its “whata-cheer-cheer-cheer” territorial call in spring. Watch for a male feeding a female during courtship. The male also feeds the young of the first brood while the female builds a second nest. Territorial in spring, fighting its own reflection in a window or other reflective surface. Non-territorial in winter, gathering in small flocks of up to 20 birds. Makes short flights from cover to cover, often landing on the ground. Cardinalis denotes importance, as represented by the red priestly garments of Catholic cardinals.